Eye Doctor: Considering Laser Eye Surgery

If you have trouble seeing, you visit an eye doctor. This could be an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Either specialist could recommend glasses or contacts. However, for those who wish to avoid both devices, the solution may be vision correction surgery.

What Is Vision Correction Surgery?

Such surgery, also referred to as refractive and laser eye surgery, is a procedure involving lasers as a means of correcting any vision problems. The goal is to improve vision. Generally, this means reshaping the eye’s cornea. Sometimes, it involves replacing the natural lens of the eye. Eye centers/clinics offer a range of laser correction services.

Major Types of Laser Eye Surgery

Laser technology has increased the ability of surgeons to correct and even improve vision problems. More than a dozen methods exist. However, among the list, only a few major ones are among the most popular. The most commonly performed laser procedures are:

LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis): This procedure is the most common and popular among patients and surgeons alike. Laser and cosmetic eye clinics prefer this method over others. An eye doctor will use it to treat:

Myopia (near-sightedness)
Hyperopia (far-sightedness)
Astigmatism.

The surgeon utilizes a computer-controlled excimer laser to reform the tissue beneath the cornea without damaging the epithelium thanks to the creation of a flap.

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy): This type of laser surgery addresses the same issues as LASIK. It also reshapes the cornea using a computer-controlled laser. However, with PRK, the surgeon gently removes the surface of the epithelium, disrupting the surface of the eye and causing increased healing time

LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis): This is similar to PRK and LASIK in what eye conditions it treats. LASEK does involve creating a flap. It also involves a softening of the tissue with alcohol and a laser to reshape the cornea.